Meh. While certainly better than UFC 149, UFC 150 left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied, much like your girlfriend post-prom. The fights weren’t bad, per se, but after last weekend’s amazing FOX show, this card was definitely lacking in excitement, especially on the main card. The main event was very good and very close, but the iffy decision will leave a bad taste in many mouths (that’s what she said), leaving few fond memories. With that being said there are still some fun match-ups to make, so lets get our panties unbunched and talk fights.
Justin Lawrence: Lawrence is one of those guys who is getting a lot of hype despite having done very little to deserve it. He had his moments in the fight, but Holloway destroyed him with a body shot and finished the fight soon after. Match him up with Pablo Garza and see how he bounces back from his first loss.
Max Holloway: I really like this kid and think he will only get better. I hope he adds some ground skills to his repertoire, but again, he’ll get better as he matures and develops. I say go ahead and match him up with fellow star on the rise, Steven Siler, and see who is ready to take that next step forward.
Buddy Roberts: Roberts had his moments during the fight, but it became pretty clear that he did not belong in the cage with a fighter of Okami’s caliber. He’ll get another shot in the UFC for taking such a leap in competition on such short notice, but it needs to be against someone of a similar skill level. Fights against Jared Hamman or Court McGee both make sense in that regard.
Yushin Okami: I’m not really sure how much good this win does for Okami considering he beat an over-matched opponent that he was supposed to beat. On top of that, the finish of the fight was pretty lackluster, but hey Okami finished a fight, so we have to take what we can get. I think matching Okami up with Jake Shields makes all kind of sense as they can sell the fight based on their previous meeting and they are in similar position in their respective careers.
Ed Herman: Jared Hamman or Court McGee for all the reasons I used for Buddy Roberts.
Jake Shields: See Okami.
Melvin Guillard: OK, once and for all, can we PLEASE stop putting Guillard in these contender fights!?! Yes, he’ll beat lower level competition, but every time he’s put in a fight like this, he loses …. badly. Hopefully this loss cements my viewpoint as reality and Guillard is placed in a position like Jeremy Stephens - exciting fighter who is put in exciting fight for pure entertainment value. I originally said I wanted Jamie Varner to face Jeremy Stephens, but Stephens is now set to face Yves Edwards instead, leaving Varner open for a booking - so make it happen Joe.
Donald Cerrone: Anthony Pettis ….. duh.
Frankie Edgar: Edgar is an interesting subject given that after this loss, a move to 145 for the former champ has to be something that he is considering. If Edgar decides to stay at 155, he can face Clay Guida, Jim Miller, or Diego Sanchez. If he does decide to make the cut to 145, fights with Mark Hominick or Hatsu Hioki would be a nice way to welcome him to the division.
Benson Henderson: Nate Diaz …… duh.